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This recording features the choirs of Saint Paul’s Parish, K Street, Washington, D.C., under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Smith, in sacred choral music for the Advent and Christmas seasons. The program also contains a choral arrangement and organ improvisations by Dr. Smith, played upon the Schoenstein organ at Saint Paul’s, K Street. Thomas Joyce is organ accompanist.

From its establishment in 1866, music has played an integral role in the life and worship of Saint Paul’s Parish. The Parish Choir, comprised mostly of volunteers, sings each Sunday at the 11:15 a.m. Solemn Mass, as well as Holy Days and numerous special services. The Girls Choir, founded in 1994, sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sung Mass each Sunday. The Choir of Men and Boys, re-founded in 1994, sings each Sunday at Solemn Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 6:00 p.m. In addition to their primary liturgical responsibilities, the girl and boy choristers have appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra in performances at The Kennedy Center under the direction of such masters as Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos and Christopher Hogwood. The four-manual Schoenstein organ heard on this recording was installed in 1996 and has garnered international
attention.

Critics' Comments

Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians Jeffrey contributes three improvisations that are, in themselves, recommendations for this excellent disc. The choir is especially polished and unified in tone and phrasing. The lively photos of the choir in action add vitality to the basic texts and credits in the liner. - Victor Hill

The American Record Guide “Of the seasonal anthologies I sampled..., this program from a Washington DC church choir stood out. Arrangements of the standard carols are snappy, the singing more dapper than you‘ll hear elsewhere, and the sound less cavernous than, say, Ripon Cathedral or that other St Paul’s. ...an engaging mix of carols old and new...“ - Greenfield - Nov-Dec 2006

The Living Church This is lovely and absorbing ... Jeffrey Smith’s inventive improvisations add other colors to the choral program ... Beautiful music! Listen carefully. - Patricia Nakamura